Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

United Arab Emirates names official Minister of Happiness

The prime minister of the United Arab Emirates says “national happiness isn’t a wish,” and in order to make good on his promise, he’s appointed a minister of state for happiness. His... Read more »
A flash mob featuring a hundred performers in monkey costumes makes an appearance to celebrate the arrival of the Chinese New Year in Times Square on Manhattan, New York, the United States, Feb. 6, 2016. (Xinhua/Wang Lei)

Photos: Chinese New Year celebrations around the world

The Lunar New Year is China’s biggest holiday. Around the world, families are coming together to celebrate. This Lunar New Year marks the beginning of The Year of the Monkey. The Chinese... Read more »
The scene at the site of the crash was one of total devastation. Photo: DPA

At least 10 dead, 80 injured in Germany train crash

At least ten people were killed after two trains collided head-on in southern Germany on Tuesday, and about 80 others were injured, according to reports. Police said there were about 150 passengers on... Read more »
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center, who holds a doctorate in physics, personally pressed the button at Wednesday's launch of an experiment they hope will advance the quest for nuclear fusion, considered a clean and safe form of nuclear power. AP Photo

German scientists take big step towards clean source of energy

Physicists in Germany have used an experimental nuclear fusion device to produce hydrogen plasma in a process similar to what happens on the Sun. The test marks an important milestone on the... Read more »

Julian Assange to ‘accept arrest’ if UN rules against him

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, said on Thursday that he would turn himself in to the British police if a United Nations panel ruled that the years he has spent in... Read more »
Pakistan International Airlines

Pakistan national airline strike disrupts over 100 flights

KARACHI (Pakistan) – All of Pakistan International Airline’s foreign and domestic flights were suspended, and employees held strikes at airports in major cities across the country. Pakistan’s airports plunged into chaos as... Read more »
American Airline

Major Airlines issue travel advisories, offer refund amid Zika virus concerns

Airlines are offering refunds to passengers who have booked flights to central and south American countries caught up in the Zika virus outbreak The mosquito-borne Zika virus is spreading so quickly through... Read more »

West curtails human rights over fear of terrorism

The politics of fear led governments around the globe to roll back human rights during 2015 European governments have allowed widespread fears about migration and terrorism to erode their commitment to civil... Read more »
Sgt. Tom Hutchison stands in front of an Oregon State Police roadblock on Highway 395 between John Day and Burns by Oregon State police officers Tuesday. (Dave Killen/The Associated Press)

One dead as FBI arrests Oregon occupation leader and 7 others

Leaders of occupation at refuge in Oregon arrested; 1 killed, another wounded in highway confrontation In a  dramatic development in the 25-day armed occupation of a central Oregon wildlife refuge, eight people,... Read more »
Australian couple Ken Elliot, a surgeon, and his wife Jocelyn, have run the Friends of Burkina Faso medical clinic in Djibo in the north of Burkina Faso since 1972. The pair were kidnapped by Islamist extremists four days ago. Photo: Rebekah Ziesmer Strand/Facebook

Citizens campaign for release of Australians kidnapped in Burkina Faso

The family of two Australians kidnapped by extremists in Burkina Faso have pleaded for their release as they express gratitude for messages of support from Australia and internationally. CANBERRA, (Australia) — The... Read more »

Explosion in central Istanbul kills at least 10, injures 15

Explosion leaves ten dead and 15 injured at the major tourist attraction of Sultanahmet square in Istanbul An explosion in the heart of Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet tourist district killed at least 10 people... Read more »
Striking doctors outside Sandwell General in West Bromwich, where bosses attempted to get staff to work by declaring an emergency hours before the industrial action was due to start

Junior Doctors in UK go on strike for first time in 40 years

4,000 operations have been cancelled and patients warned to stay away as thousands of junior doctors around the UK have begun a 24-hour strike Thousands of Junior Doctors across Britain are striking... Read more »

UN to hold emergency talks after North Korea’s hydrogen bomb test

he United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today in New York after North Korea claimed it had carried out a “successful” hydrogen bomb test, diplomats said.The closed-door morning talks... Read more »
Turkish coast guards and medical team examine the dead migrants. (AA Photo)

Humanity washed ashore: Turkey finds bodies of 36 drowned migrants

Bodies of 36 migrants found on Turkish coast, at least 12 rescued Turkey  on Tuesday found the bodies of at least 36 migrants, including several children, washed up on beaches and floating... Read more »
North Korea announced on Wednesday that it has tested a nuclear device, after reports of a non-natural earthquake near a previously-used test site.

North Korea confirms hydrogen bomb test after earthquake report

North Korea today revealed it had detonated a hydrogen bomb, triggering a 5.1-magnitude earthquake and propelling the dictatorship on a new collision course with world powers. The thermonuclear weapon is believed to... Read more »
Ammon Bundy, one of the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, speaks during an interview at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, near Burns, Ore. Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

What if the Oregon Protesters were Black or Muslim?

Oregon incident has quickly led to questions about a double standard, particularly from liberals and the left, who asked: What if the armed men were Muslim or black? By Katie Rogers (NYT) The... Read more »
Pakistan was successful in securing its first ever export order for its JF-17 Thunder fighter at the first day of the International Paris Air Show

Pakistan, Sri Lanka finalise JF-17 Thunder jets deal

COLOMBO (Sri Lanka) – Pakistan and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement under which the former would sale eight JF-17 Thunder aircraft to the latter in the initial stage despite Indian pressure.... Read more »

Periodic Table just got Four new Elements

Four new elements have been added to the periodic table, finally filling out its seventh row Four new elements — with atomic numbers of 113, 115, 117, and 118 — will be... Read more »

Bahrain, Sudan sever ties with Iran, UAE reduces number of diplomats

Bahrain, Sudan sever ties with Iran following Saudi Arabia while UAE reduces number of diplomats, widening Middle East conflict Bahrain and Sudan, both close allies of Saudi Arabia, have joined the kingdom and cut... Read more »
Shiites carrying a placard with an image of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr at a protest in Srinagar, in the disputed region of Kashmir, on Saturday. Credit Dar Yasin/Associated Press

Saudi Arabia breaks off Diplomatic ties with Iran over cleric’s execution

Tensions sparked by cleric’s execution raise alarm about growing hostilities in regional battle for influence between two countries Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with Iran as tensions between the two long-time regional... Read more »
People work on the outer wall of a house that collapsed in an earthquake in Imphal. Photograph: Yurreipem Arthur/AP

Six killed, over 100 injured as 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit northeast India

At least six people were killed and over 100 injured as a strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit India’s Manipur region today, causing damage to buildings and triggering panic. The U.S. Geological Survey said... Read more »

Pakistan Army Chief vows to eliminate Terrorism-Corruption nexus in 2016

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday said that that nexus of terrorism, crime and corruption will be completely eliminated from the country this year. GWADAR (Pakistan) – Army... Read more »
Firefighters arrive at the scene of the Saudi Arabian embassy which was torched by members of an angry mob in Tehran. Photo: EPA

Angry Iranian protesters ransack and torch Saudi Embassy after mass execution

Iran leader sees ‘divine vengeance’ for Saudi cleric execution Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi Embassy in Tehran early on Sunday as Shi’ite Muslim Iran reacted with fury to Saudi Arabia’s execution of... Read more »

Saudi Arabia executes 47 for ‘terrorism’, including top Shia cleric

Region anger was growing tonight after Saudi Arabia announced the execution of 47 prisoners accused of terrorism charges, including a Muslim Shi’ite cleric RIYADH: Saudi Arabia executed 47 people on Saturday for... Read more »